The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has announced that it will be negotiating with the Team McAlpine Consortium with a view to appointing them to build the London 2012 Olympic Stadium.

The ODA received a number of applications to pre-qualify for the contract – reportedly from Alpine Bau, Arup and Sir Richard Rogers among others – however, only Team McAlpine met the criteria.

David Higgins, chief executive of the ODA, said: “I am confident that negotiations with Team McAlpine will conclude successfully in the New Year. The Olympic Stadium will be the centrepiece of the Olympic Park and we will deliver an outstanding venue for the Games with legacy the UK can be truly proud of.”

Led by UK contractors Sir Robert McAlpine, the consortium – which also includes architects HOK Sport and engineering teams Buro Happold and M-E Engineering – was responsible for Arsenal’s new Emirates Stadium.

The brief for the stadium is create an 80,000-seat venue, capable of hosting track and field events, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. After the Games it must reduce in size but maintain the capacity to host sporting and cultural events.

The Sunday Times reported that the stadium could be designed to shrink and grow, in a concertina style, in order for it to adapted for different uses after the Games. Details: www.london2012.com

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